Drink spiking leads to four sex assaults a week in Essex.

GIRLS are being sexually assaulted after having their drinks spiked at a rate of up to four a week in Essex.

Work is being done to try and catch the sexual predators responsible.

However more advice needs to be made available for people going for a night out, according to Colchester Council's community safety representative Tim Young.

The report, issued by police and crime commissioner Nick Alston, stated: "Female victims are reporting sexual offences caused by their drinks being spiked - approximately three to four reported incidents per week.

"There is some good proactive work from Essex Police in addressing this and the use of CCTV and other methods are being used to identify suspects."